Mumps is the name usually given to a viral infection located in the parotid salivary gland. Such infection generally produces visible and painful swelling of the cheeks. Only 1/3rd cases of mumps occur without any apparent symptoms. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for symptoms to appear to a full extent. The leading cause of infection is a virus known as mumps virus, which can be transmitted from one person to another. This virus affects any salivary gland, but the parotid glands are most commonly involved. These glands are present on both sides of the face, between the ear and the jaw, and they are responsible for producing saliva. After being infected, they get swollen, giving rise to certain symptoms such as fever, pain, and difficult swallowing. Children are most commonly affected by this infectious disorder. To detect mumps infections, we should understand its symptoms, and here we have the most important symptoms in mumps:
Fever
FeverHigh-grade fever(103°F) is a well-known symptom of mumps infection. Mumps virus is highly contagious, usually transmitted by coughing and sneezing via air droplets. After a person gets infected, high-grade fever usually develops within 12-16 days. It usually lasts for 3-4 days, and then starts declining. Fever generally arise as a result of the ongoing viral replication within the epithelium of the salivary glands. Patients should readily visit a doctor as soon as possible, primarily when other characteristic symptoms of mumps infection have appeared within this time. Ignorance can lead to extremely devastating complications, like orchitis, deafness, pancreatitis, and seizures. Fever can be controlled with acetaminophen but treating the viral cause should be our priority in order to ward off from complications. Other characteristic symptoms of mumps should also be observed in order to reach the final diagnosis.
